Crossing signal



April 9, 1 A. RHOADES 1,708,591 v CROSSING SIGNAL Filed Dec. 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l l A [f1 d.

Inventor C'j g' 1 @m/lz.

` Attorney |||I IIJ-fill A' April 9, 1929. 1 A RHOADES 1,708,591

CROSSING SIGNAL Filed Dec. 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor ttomey Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. RHOADES, OF OSHKOSH, NEBRASKA.

oRossINerv SIGNAL Application led December 22., 1 925. Serial No. 77,150.

The present invention relates to improvements in crossing signals and has for its principal object to provide a warning signal which is adapted to be placed at the intersection of the highway with the railroad tracks, as well as being adapted for use at the corners of street intersections.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a signal which includes a slidable and rotatable signal arm, the same being supported on a suitable standard in such a manner as to be readily and easily visible by vehicles and pedestrians approaching the intersection.

A further object is to provide a crossing signal wherein the signal members are arranged in pairs and are further adapted for simultaneous operation in order to facilitate the regulation of tratiic at the point ot intersection in an expeditious manner.

A still further object is to provide a cross.

ing signal of the above mentioned character which will at all times be positive and eticient in its operation, the same being further simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted for the purpose to which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course ot the following description taken in connection with the following drawings.

In the accompanaying drawings, forming a part oi this application, and in which like numerals designate likeA parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of a street intersection showing the arrangement of my improved signalling means at the corners thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of the signal members, partly shown in section, and illustrating the means for effecting the actuation ot the signal member.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4i is a similar section taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a View similar to Fignre 1 showing the signalling device as associated with a railroad crossing.

1n the drawings wherein Jfor the purpose of illustration is shown the preferredl embodiment of my invention, the numerals 1 and 2 designate generally one pair of cooperating signalling members, the other pair of cooperating signals being indicated by the numerals 3 and 4L respectively, the signals 1 and 2 are preferably arranged at diagonally opposed corners of a street intersection designated generally by the letter A, while the other pair of signal members are arranged at the other diagonally disposed corners. The signals 1 and 2 are adapted to regulate the tratiic which may be traveling either north or south, while the other pair of signals are provided for regulating the traiiic which travels east and west.

Each of the signal devices comprises a platform 5 which is adapted to be supported on the upper end of any suitable support designated generally by the numeral 6. The support may comprise the usual electric lightsupport provided at each corner of the street intersection A. It is of course to vbe understood that the support is of such height as to enable the signal device to be disposed suiiiciently above the surface of the ground so as not to interfer with the vehicles traveling over the highways when the signal is disposed in an operative position. A pintle 7 extends upwardly from the platform. Adapted to be supported on the pintle, and Jfurther adapted for rotation thereon is what I term as a guide block 8. The purpose of this block will hercinaifter be more fully described. Also adapted to be disposed on the pintle 7 between the bottom of the block and the upper face of the platform 5 is a spacing collar 9, the purpose oi which will also be presently apparent.

r1`he signalling' arm includes a base 10, the same being provided at its intermediate side portion with the lateral projection 11. End walls 12 extend upwardly from the base 10 adjacent the respective ends of the base. Longitudinally extending bars 13 and 1A are secured at their opposite ends to the respective side edges of the end members 12, and as is clearly shown in Figure 2, these bars are arranged in parallel spaced relation, and provide tracks. A metallic sheathing 15 extends around the sides and ends of the signalling arm as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The base 10 of each signalling' arm is provided with a central longitudinally extending slot 16 and provides a means whereby the pintle 7 and the block 8 supported on the same may be disposed upwardly through the base of the signalling arm, and permit the block to be disposed between the opposed bars 13 and 14. Suitable rollers 17 are mounted onA the Aninternal gear designated generally byV Y the numeral 18 and being of the same configuration as the base 1() of each signalling arm is vsecured on the bottom of the base. The bottom of the base is further provided with a groove or channel 19, which is also of the same configuration as the base and the internal gear 18, and this groove is disposed between the longitudinally extending slot 1G formedin the base, and the edges of the gear teeth 2O of the internal gear 18. v

Extending upwardly through each of the supporting standards 6 is the rotatable drive shaft 21, the lower end thereof extending downwardly below the surface of the ground and being associated with an electric motor of any conventional construction, in any suitable manner. The upper end of the drive shaft extends through the platform 5 in a suitable opening 22 provided therefor.

Secured on the portion of the drive shaft which extends above the platform `5is the pinion 23, the saine being adapted for cooperation with the gearteeth v2O of the internal gear member 18. A spacing collar or washer 24 is also arranged on the upper portion of the drive shaft, and is disposed between the pinion 23 and the platform 5 in the manner as more clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the d awings A guide roller 25 is secured on the uppermost end of the drive shaft 21, and is adapted to travel in the groove or channel 19 formed in the bottom of the base 10. The spacing collars 9 or 24 will prevent the internal gear member 18 from coming incontact with the platform 5 and thus insure the spacing of the signalling member from 'the platform in order that the same will be free to slide and rotate Iduring the operation of the signal. y

An ornamental top piece 26 `is adapted to be mounted on the top of each of the signal' arms, and at the ends of the top member are vsupported anv suitable visible signalling meanssuch as shown at 27. The light rays from the lampsare arranged in each ti casings of the visible signalling means adapted to pass through one pair of adjacent .sides so that a signal will be readily visible from either direction.

With reference now to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the signalling members 1 and 2 are disposed transversely into the street or highway on which traiiic travels north and south, thus giving a signal for such traflic to'oome to a-stop before-reaching the intersection A.

ln the mean time, the other pair of cooperating'signal arms 3and l are disposed parallel with the intersecting street or highway so that the traliic on this highway or street will be free to pass across the intersection in safety. rThis will also control the movement of pedestrians. v

The operation of my improved crossing signal may be briefly stated as follows. The signals are arranged in pairs and when one pair of these signals is disposed parallel to one highway, the other pair of signals will be disposed at right angles with respect to the intersecting highway, thus permitting the traiiic to travel across the intersection in the direction desired when the signals for this particular highwayy are parallel with the same.

The cycle of operation of each signal may be more clearly understood by defining the various points of the movable signal member with respect to the pinion and now considering Figure 4, it will be observed that the pinion A23 islocated at point b ofthe internal gear 18 and when in this position, this particular signal member will be disposed at right anglesor ninety degrees with respect to the particular highway with which said signal is associated. l/Vhile the switch 38 is closed, the electric motor will operate the drive shaft .so that thepinion 23 will cooperate with the teeth 2() of the internal gear, and when the pinion is in engagement with the internal gear at the point C as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the signal will then be disposed parallel to the particular highway with which the signal is associated, thus indicating that this highway is clear and that pedestrians and traiic moving along the same can proceed across the intersection without any danger.

Mail

l/Vhen point CZ of the internal gear is in eni gagement with the pinion, the signal member will again have assumed a position at right angles to the highway with which said particular signal is associated. Finally when point a of the internal gear is in engagement with the pinion, the signal'will then be disposed parallel to its highway with which the same is associated.

lt is readily obvious therefore that-at each quarter turn of the signal, the same is disposed at right angles with respect to the particular highway for which the signal isassociated.

The signal may bestopped in any particular position by the traffic oflicer controlling the switch 28.

When the signalling means 27 is illuminated, the signal arms may be readily and easily visible for a suitable distance from the street intersection, so that the drivers of vehicles quite some distance away from the intersection may readily ascertain the conditions of traiiic at such points.

The provision `of an internal gear member in the particular shape shown in the drawings will cause the signal arms to be disposed at an operative or inoperative position, and furthermore the block carrying the rollers will cooperate with the tracks of the respective signal arms to permit the sliding movement of the latter, in order that the same may efficiently operate.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, the signalling device is shown as being associated with a railway grade crossing, a pair of signalling arms being disposed on opposite sides of the track B, and being also arranged at the sides of the highway C, which intersects the tracks.

A. crossing signal of the above mentioned character may be readily and easily set up in position for use and will at all times be positive and eficient in its operation to indicate the position at the intersection of one highway with another, as well as the intersection of railroad tracks with a road.

Vilhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is:

l. A crossing signal comprising a support, a pintle extending upwardly from the support, a guide block mounted on the pintle and adapted for rotation thereon, a signal arm, said guide block extending upwardly through the arm, cooperating means between the block and the arm to eifectV the sliding movement of the arm with respect to the block, means for rotating the signal arm on the support whereby the same is moved to an operative or inoperative position, said last mentioned means comprising an internal gear carried bythe bottom of the signal arm, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly through the support, and a drive pinion .on the upper end of the shaft cooperating with the internal gear.

2. A crossing signal comprising a support, a pint-le extending upwardly from the support, a guide block mounted on the p intle and adapted for rotation thereon, a signal arm including a base, upstanding end members, and side members arranged in spaced opposed pairs, the bottom of'the base of the signal arm being provided with a longitudinally extending slot, said guide block extending between the spaced sides of the signal arm, rollers associated with the guide block and engaging with the side members of the signal arm whereby said signal arm is adapted for slidable movement with respect to the guide block, and means for rotating the guide lock and the signal arm to move the latter to an operative or inoperative position.

3. A crossing signal comprising a support, a pintle extending upwardly from the support, a guide block mounted on the pintle and adapted for rotation thereon, a signal aim including a base, upstanding end members, and side members arranged in spaced op posed pairs, the bottom of the base of the signal arm being provided with a longitudinally extending slot, said guide block extending between the spaced sides of the signal arm, rollers associated with ie guide block and engaging with the side members of the signal arm whereby said signal arm is adapted for slidable movement with respect to the guide block, means for rotating the guide block and the signal arm to move the latter to an operative or inoperative position, said last mentioned means comprising an internal gear secured on the bottom of the base of the signal arm, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly through the support, and a drive pinion mounted on the upper end of the shaft and cooperating with the internal gear.

il. A crossing signal comprising a support, a pintle extending upwardly from the support, a guide block mounted on the pintle and adapted for rot-ation thereon, a signal arm including a base, upstanding end members, and side members arranged in spaced opposed pairs, the bottom of the base of the signal arm being provided with a longitudinally extending slot, said guide block extending between the spaced sides of the signal arm, rollers associated with the guide block, and engaging with the side members of the signal arm whereby said signal arm is adapted for slidable movement with respect to the guide block, means for rotating the guide block and the signal arm to move the latter to an operative or inoperative position, said last mentioned means comprising an internal gear secured on the bottom of the base of the signal arm, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly through the support, and a drive pinion mounted on the upper end of the shaft and cooperating with the internal gear, and

cooperating means between the upper end of the shaft and the base of the signal arm to prevent the displacement of the pinion from the internal gear.

5. A crossing signal comprising a support, a pintle extending upwardly from the support, a guide block mountedon the pintle and adapted for rotation thereon, a signal arm including a base, upstanding end members, and side members arranged in spaced opposed pairs, the bottom of the base of the signal arm being provided with a longitudinally extending slot, said guide block extending between the spaced sides of the signal arm, rollers associated with the guide block and engaging with the side members of the Cil sgnal arm whereby saclsgnal arms adapted for sldable movement with respect to the guide block7 means for rotating' -thefrgude block and the signal arm to move the latter to an operative or inoperative.posit-ion,4 said last mentioned means comprising an internal gear secured on thebottom of the base of the sgna arm, al rotatabeshaft extending upwardly through the support, a drvepnon mounted on the upper end .of the shaft and cooperating with the internal gear, cooperating means bet-Weenthe upper end 'of theshaft and thebase of "the signal varm to prevent thedsplaeement of 'thepnon-fr-om the nternal gear, said last'lnentoned-'means cornprsng. the guide roller secured onthe uppermost end of the drvelshaft, .thebottorn-off'V the base of the signal Varm bengiproivded with a groove in which. said last mentioned roller is adapted to travel.

In testimony Vwhereof I aHX my signature.

' JOHN' A. RHOADES. e 

